Virada Cultural 2026 should attract almost 5 million people

Virada Cultural 2026 starts this Saturday (23) with more than 1,300 free attractions in 24 uninterrupted hours of programming, transforming São Paulo into the capital of culture in Latin America.

According to the Municipal Department of Culture and Creative Economy, the event with the theme "The Festival of Festivals" is expected to receive 4.8 million people.

With shows featuring stars of varying styles, the line-up includes Thiaguinho, Luísa Sonza, Marina Sena, Titãs, Alexandre Pires, Seu Jorge, Mumuzinho, Gaby Amarantos, Péricles, Gustavo Mioto, Ajulliacosta, MC Hariel, Sidney Magal, Wanessa, Dilsinho, Joelma, Pixote and Cassiane.

In addition, maestro João Carlos Martins will perform with the participation of the samba school Mocidade Alegre, at the opening of Virada, at 5pm, in Anhangabaú.

The Center is the place with the most comprehensive programming, with dance floors, samba circles, chorinho, jazz, soul, blues, popular culture, artistic installations, creative economy fairs and special programming in spaces such as Copan, Praça das Artes, Mosteiro São Bento, Viaduto do Chá and Largo do Paissandu.

But the attractions are distributed across all regions, with 22 stages - 17 in the neighborhoods and five in the center -, in addition to a wide network of cultural facilities and partner spaces.

Virada Cultural 2026 will be a meeting of different artistic languages, bringing together music, dance, theater, processions, urban interventions, visual arts and literature.

The 2026 edition has more than 100 partners involved, such as Sesc São Paulo, MASP, Museu da Língua Portuguesa, Pinacoteca, Instituto Moreira Sales, Caixa Cultural, CCBB, Centro Cultural FIESP, Itaú Cultural and Centro Cultural Coreano, among others.

"The proposal is to transform São Paulo into a great cultural circuit, bringing programming closer to the public and valuing the territories. We also seek to value local artists and new talents", said Totó Parente, Secretary of Culture and Creative Economy.

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Source: CNN